Here is a link with some useful information about how to get insurance for a senior immigrant. You know the things in the first part of article. The later parts of will give you some ideas of what to do. Good luck! It's really not very difficult, so don't worry.

Pam, just a guess but I'm betting it's an elderly person who needs help so is moving closer to family. If this be the case, health insurance may not have been as important to them as having someone who cares about you around to help you in your old age. I'd understand such a move..hopefully though, they have enough money to pay as they go health wise. If not, and something serious came up, they could always go back to Canada as long as they didn't give up citizenship?

Canada has nationalized health, why on earth would they walk away from that? Whoever sponsored them into the US is totally responsible for them. Your employer may allow you to add them as Class II dependents on health insurance. I would check that first.

Guestshop, thanks for the info on the 5 year wait. I didn't know that one could buy into Medicare. It probably would be expensive, as all these years of me working I had put taxes into Medicare... and also part of the Medicare premium is taken from my Social Security income.

Actually, FF, after 5 years a legal resident with green card can buy into the Medicare program (at much higher prices for Parts A and B granted). I'm guessing the original poster is referring to that waiting period in terms of 5 years. But you are correct about the private insurers for health care costs being the major insurance option. I figured if she needs health care, they might be looking for other programs too:)

If this older woman has never worked in the U.S. or had U.S. taxes out for Medicare, she cannot receive same. Or is she talking about Medicaid? There is no age requirement for Medicaid.

Her options for health insurance is to go through through the private insurance carriers such as Kaiser. I have a good friend who's in-laws were coming to visit for a year and the grown children all chipped in to purchase health insurance from Kaiser.

You can start by contacting your Area Agency on Aging for Vermont - I'm not sure which one you are closest too - their web page with listing of the various locations is http://humanservices.vermont.gov/community-partners/cp-aging-agenciesHere is a description of what they do: Area Agencies on AgingThese agencies coordinate and support a wide range of home- and community-based services, including information and referral, home-delivered and congregate meals, transportation, employment services, senior centers, adult day care and a long-term care ombudsman program. They also provide assistance for adults in need of protection or supportive services. Depending on the circumstances of the relocation from Canada (green card, US citizen moving back, etc) your answers could be wildly different. Start with Area Agency - and they can help you.

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